Olympic expressways will open on nine freeways in Beijing and five co-host cities starting this month.

Vehicles used for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will be able to enter and exit tolls quickly when transporting athletes, officials and visitors to the different venues.

To ensure the success of the Games, the Ministry of Communications publicized a plan guaranteeing smooth communications and transportation on its website recently.

It said nine expressways are involved, including the freeways between Beijing and Qinhuangdao, Beijing and Tianjin, Qinhuangdao and Shenyang, and airport expressways in Qingdao, Shenyang, Shanghai and Beijing.

The five cities, apart from Beijing, are co-hosts of the 2008 Olympic Games.

According to the plan, toll stations on the nine freeways should open special lanes for Olympic vehicles. Signs will be placed to direct drivers.

Vehicles with special passes issued by the Olympic authorities will be allowed to pass through toll stations without paying.

Other vehicles used for the Games do not need to queue at toll stations if fees are paid in advance.

"The measures are expected to save time for Olympic-related vehicles and raise transport efficiency," the ministry said.

The "Good Luck Beijing" games, that began on July 1, will be a test for the expressways.

To ensure all roads are in good condition, the ministry has asked provincial communication administrations to carry out overall checks.

Necessary maintenance work should be done before next May. No maintenance work will be allowed after next May until 15 days after the Games conclude.

(China Daily 07/05/2007 page4)